Is my child growing well?

Is my child growing well?

Children come in different sizes and shapes. Though your child may be taller or shorter, heavier or lighter than other children the same age, changes in height and weight generally follow a regular pattern that is right for your child Children come in different sizes and shapes. Though your child may be taller or shorter, heavier or lighter than other children the same age, changes in height and weight generally follow a regular pattern that is right for your child.

Babies grow at different rates. For example, breastfed babies tend to grow more quickly than non-breastfed babies in the first six months and tend to grow more slowly in the second six months of life. Non-breastfed babies tend to grow faster in the second six months of life.

Why should I keep track of my child’s growth?

The way your child grows says a lot about her health. Growing too fast or too slowly can be a sign of possible problems with health or nutrition.Starting from birth, your child’s weight and length/height should be measured on a regular basis to see how he is growing over time. Babies and toddlers should also have the size of their head measured (head circumference).

Primary teeth give shape to your child’s face, help guide permanent teeth into the right position and are crucial for learning to eat and to speak. It’s important to care for them well. Primary teeth have a thinner outer enamel (a thin, hard, white substance that covers the tooth) than permanent teeth. This puts them at risk for early childhood tooth decay, which can begin even before the first tooth appears. Decay is caused by bacteria and happens more easily if teeth keep coming into contact with sweet liquids—such as formula, milk, juice, and even breast milk (which contains sugar)—and are not cleaned regularly. Early childhood tooth decay can affect your child’s health and cause pain, making it hard for her to sleep, eat or speak. It can also affect her ability to concentrate and learn. Children who develop dental decay at an early age are more likely to suffer from it throughout childhood.

From birth to 12 months
  • Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, clean, damp cloth twice a day.
  • As soon as the first teeth appear, clean them at least once a day (usually at bedtime) with a soft bristle toothbrush designed for babies. Lay your baby on a flat surface or with his head cradled in your lap to brush teeth.
  • Avoid leaving your baby in bed with a bottle.
  • After 6 months:
    • Introduce a sippy cup.
    • Avoid juice. If you do offer it, limit juice to no more than 125 to 175 mL (4 to 6 oz) per day, in a cup rather than a bottle and only as part of a meal or snack.
    • If a bottle is needed at nap time, offer water rather than milk or juice.
    • If you breastfeed before naptime, be sure to clean your child’s teeth before he goes to sleep.
  • Never sweeten a soother.
  • Don’t put a soother or bottle nipple in your own mouth for any reason. Bacteria (including those which cause tooth decay), viruses and yeast infections can be passed between you and your child this way.
From 1 to 2 years
  • Take your child for a first dental visit at 12 months.
  • Brush your child’s teeth daily (using non-fluoridated toothpaste).
  • Check for signs of early childhood tooth decay once a month. Lift your child’s upper lip and look for chalky-white or brown spots on the teeth or along the gum line. If you see any, take your child to a dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist may suggest you start using a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Switch to a regular cup for all drinks between 12 and 15 months.
  • Limit soother use to nap and bedtime.
From 3 to 4 years old
  • Teach your child “2 for 2,” which means brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time.
  • Start using fluoride toothpaste, the amount of a green pea, and teach her to spit rather than swallow.  Supervise your child while he/she is brushing teeth.
  • Encourage her to do some brushing with you completing the job, making sure that all tooth surfaces have been cleaned.
  • Be a role model by brushing your teeth at the same time.
  • If your child continues to suck her thumb as permanent teeth begin to appear, talk to your doctor or dentist.
For all ages
  • Wash your hands before and after brushing teeth.
  • Rinse toothbrushes thoroughly after brushing and ensure that each one can dry without touching others.
  • Replace toothbrushes every few months, when the bristles become flattened with use.
  • Between meals, quench a child’s thirst with water. Do not offer candy, dried fruit (including raisins) and sugared drinks or juices.
  • Take your child for regular dental visits (every 6 months, unless otherwise suggested by your dentist).

When your child is getting her teeth, her gums may be swollen and tender.

Do:

  • Rub the gums with a clean finger.
  • Offer her something to chew on. A wet facecloth placed in the freezer for 30 minutes can be helpful, or a teething ring made of firm rubber.

Do not:

  • Use gel that can be rubbed on your child’s gums. Your child may swallow it.
  • Give her teething biscuits, which may contain sugar.
  • Ignore a fever. Getting new teeth does not make babies sick or give them a fever. If your baby is younger than 6 months call a doctor. Older children can be treated at home, as long as they get enough liquids and seem well otherwise.
How often should my child be weighed and measured?

Your child should be weighed and measured at all regularly scheduled well-child visits and/or at visits when your child is ill. Typical well-child visits may occur:

  • within one to two weeks of birth
  • at two, four, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months
  • once per year for children over two years and for adolescents

How is my child’s growth tracked?

A growth chart is a type of graph used to track your         child’s growth pattern. Each time your child is measured, the new weight and length/height measurements are marked on the growth chart.

The chart helps show if your child is growing in a healthy way. Your child’s growth chart will be kept as part of her health record until she becomes an adult. You can ask to see this growth chart at each visit.

Which growth chart should be used to track my child’s growth?

The WHO Growth Charts for Canada are the best tool for tracking a child’s growth. They should replace other growth charts that have been used for healthy term infants, children and teens. The WHO growth charts are being used to track children’s growth in a number of countries all over the world.

 

How do I know if my child is growing well?

 

Many things affect a child’s growth including their eating and physical activity habits, environment and parent’s height. If your child is growing well, his head circumference, weight and length/height will follow (or “track”) along the same growth lines over time.

Remember all children have a pattern of growth that is natural for them. Regular weight and length/height measurements over time will show your child’s special growth pattern.

Healthy teeth for children

Healthy teeth for children

When will my baby’s teeth appear?

Healthy teeth are an important part of your child’s overall health. Helping your child develop good oral health begins at birth.
The first primary (or “baby”) tooth usually comes at about 6 months, but it isn’t unusual for teeth to appear as early as 3 months or late as 12 months.
Every child is different, but most will have all 20 primary teeth by 3 years. At around 5 or 6 years, your child will start to lose his primary teeth to make room for his permanent teeth.

Primary teeth give shape to your child’s face, help guide permanent teeth into the right position and are crucial for learning to eat and to speak. It’s important to care for them well. Primary teeth have a thinner outer enamel (a thin, hard, white substance that covers the tooth) than permanent teeth. This puts them at risk for early childhood tooth decay, which can begin even before the first tooth appears. Decay is caused by bacteria and happens more easily if teeth keep coming into contact with sweet liquids—such as formula, milk, juice, and even breast milk (which contains sugar)—and are not cleaned regularly. Early childhood tooth decay can affect your child’s health and cause pain, making it hard for her to sleep, eat or speak. It can also affect her ability to concentrate and learn. Children who develop dental decay at an early age are more likely to suffer from it throughout childhood.

From birth to 12 months
  • Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, clean, damp cloth twice a day.
  • As soon as the first teeth appear, clean them at least once a day (usually at bedtime) with a soft bristle toothbrush designed for babies. Lay your baby on a flat surface or with his head cradled in your lap to brush teeth.
  • Avoid leaving your baby in bed with a bottle.
  • After 6 months:
    • Introduce a sippy cup.
    • Avoid juice. If you do offer it, limit juice to no more than 125 to 175 mL (4 to 6 oz) per day, in a cup rather than a bottle and only as part of a meal or snack.
    • If a bottle is needed at nap time, offer water rather than milk or juice.
    • If you breastfeed before naptime, be sure to clean your child’s teeth before he goes to sleep.
  • Never sweeten a soother.
  • Don’t put a soother or bottle nipple in your own mouth for any reason. Bacteria (including those which cause tooth decay), viruses and yeast infections can be passed between you and your child this way.
From 1 to 2 years
  • Take your child for a first dental visit at 12 months.
  • Brush your child’s teeth daily (using non-fluoridated toothpaste).
  • Check for signs of early childhood tooth decay once a month. Lift your child’s upper lip and look for chalky-white or brown spots on the teeth or along the gum line. If you see any, take your child to a dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist may suggest you start using a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Switch to a regular cup for all drinks between 12 and 15 months.
  • Limit soother use to nap and bedtime.
From 3 to 4 years old
  • Teach your child “2 for 2,” which means brushing twice a day for 2 minutes each time.
  • Start using fluoride toothpaste, the amount of a green pea, and teach her to spit rather than swallow.  Supervise your child while he/she is brushing teeth.
  • Encourage her to do some brushing with you completing the job, making sure that all tooth surfaces have been cleaned.
  • Be a role model by brushing your teeth at the same time.
  • If your child continues to suck her thumb as permanent teeth begin to appear, talk to your doctor or dentist.
For all ages
  • Wash your hands before and after brushing teeth.
  • Rinse toothbrushes thoroughly after brushing and ensure that each one can dry without touching others.
  • Replace toothbrushes every few months, when the bristles become flattened with use.
  • Between meals, quench a child’s thirst with water. Do not offer candy, dried fruit (including raisins) and sugared drinks or juices.
  • Take your child for regular dental visits (every 6 months, unless otherwise suggested by your dentist).

When your child is getting her teeth, her gums may be swollen and tender.

Do:

  • Rub the gums with a clean finger.
  • Offer her something to chew on. A wet facecloth placed in the freezer for 30 minutes can be helpful, or a teething ring made of firm rubber.

Do not:

  • Use gel that can be rubbed on your child’s gums. Your child may swallow it.
  • Give her teething biscuits, which may contain sugar.
  • Ignore a fever. Getting new teeth does not make babies sick or give them a fever. If your baby is younger than 6 months call a doctor. Older children can be treated at home, as long as they get enough liquids and seem well otherwise.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in soil, water and in various foods. It is necessary for tooth mineralization (a process that helps to harden and protect the teeth). Many communities in Canada add fluoride to the local water supply to help prevent tooth decay. It can also be found in many types of toothpaste, mouthwash and varnishes (polish applied to the teeth by a dentist).Children who start using products with fluoride from an early age have fewer cavities than those who don’t.

How does fluoride work?

Fluoride helps prevent cavities and decay by coming in direct contact with the tooth enamel (the outside of the tooth) and promoting mineralization.If you consume fluoride from sources such as drinking water, it gets absorbed in your bloodstream. Then it becomes part of the enamel on the inside of the tooth.If too much fluoride gets into the inside of the tooth, it can cause a condition called fluorosis

What is fluorosis?

Too much fluoride in the early years can damage teeth as they are forming, and can lead to a condition called fluorosis. Fluorosis causes white spots or blotches on teeth.  But white spots on teeth can also be a sign of early cavities. Your dentist will have to look at your child’s teeth to know for sure.

In more severe cases of fluorosis, these spots can stain or become dark. The teeth can become brittle, chipped or “pitted”.

Cases of fluorosis are quite rare, and most cases are mild.

How much fluoride does my child need?

The right amount of fluoride will prevent cavities, but not cause fluorosis.

  • The best way to prevent cavities is to add fluoride to drinking water.
  • The right amount is about 0.7 parts per million (ppm) in drinking water, which is enough to prevent cavities but not too much so as to cause obvious fluorosis. You can check with your local municipality to find out how much fluoride is in your drinking water supply.
  • Natural sources of water may also have fluoride. If your water comes from wells or springs, you can have it tested. If it contains 0.7 ppm of fluoride or less, it is safe.
  • If the level of fluoride in your water supply is 0.3 ppm or less, ask your dentist or doctor whether a supplement is needed.
  • If the amount of fluoride in the water is more than 0.7 ppm, there is more chance that a child will develop fluorosis. Children younger than three years of age should not drink water with fluoride levels of much more than 0.7 ppm.
What about fluoride from toothpaste & supplements?

Start brushing your children’s teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste by the time they are 3 years old. If your child is under 3 years of age and you think she may be at risk for early childhood tooth decay, talk to your dentist to find out if it is a good idea to start using a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste.

Fluoride is available as drops or lozenges, but most children don’t need extra fluoride.
If there is a reason to give your child fluoride supplements, your dentist or doctor will recommend them. If you use drops, dilute them with water (follow instructions on package) and squirt them on the teeth. Tell your child not to swallow the drops.

Colic and crying

Colic and crying

Why do babies cry?

Healthy babies cry. It’s the way they express their needs and communicate with the people around them. Most of the time, you respond with what your baby needs: by offering food, helping your baby sleep, changing a diaper, or just cuddling. Crying is important for babies because they depend on other people to meet all of their needs.

But there are times when even the most caring parent can’t soothe a baby’s cries. Remember, it is not your fault. When a baby cries long and hard (without a break) even though he’s been fed, changed, and cuddled, the baby is said to be “colicky.” For a long time, people thought that colic was a “condition”—some babies have it, and others don’t.

When a baby cries long and hard (without a break) even though he’s been fed, changed, and cuddled, the baby is said to be “colicky.” For a long time, people thought that colic was a “condition”—some babies have it, and others don’t.
New information suggests that what used to be called colic is actually a normal part of a baby’s development. All babies go through a period early in life when they cry more than at any other time.
Each baby is different. During this “peak” period—which is usually sometime between 3 and 8 weeks—some babies may cry much more than others. Their crying may seem stronger, and it may be harder (sometimes impossible!) to soothe. There is good news, though. First, it’s normal. And there’s no lasting effect on your baby. Second, it won’t last forever. This period of strong, intense (and unexplained) crying can end as quickly as it started, or it may gradually decrease over time. Usually, it’s over by the time your baby is 3 to 4 months old.
In the meantime, here are some ideas to help you get through what can be a stressful time.

Why do some babies cry more than others?

Some experts believe that babies who cry more than others have a more sensitive temperament (their individual nature) and have difficulty controlling their crying. They may have more trouble self-soothing and settling into their natural body rhythms when they are very young.

Generally, it hasn’t been shown that there is anything wrong with the bowels of babies who cry long and hard. And there is not strong evidence that the crying is caused by gas, wind or food allergies. In fact, crying causes babies to swallow air, which they burp up or pass as wind. Because they strain and tighten their stomach muscles, this also forces air out of the rectum.

What can you do to help soothe a crying baby?

Each baby is unique, and what helps soothe one baby may not work for another. The challenge is finding what works for you and your baby.

Here are some suggestions that might calm your baby or help prevent crying when your child is fussy:

  • Check to see if your baby needs something—a diaper change, a feeding, relief from being too hot or too cold, or attention for a fever.
  • Hold your baby. This will not spoil him. However, some babies do not like being passed from person to person.
  • Wrap or swaddle your baby in a soft blanket.
  • Turn off the lights and keep surroundings quiet. Too much stimulation can often trigger crying or make it worse.
  • Soft music, white noise or a gentle shushing noise can soothe some babies.
  • Many babies are soothed by motion. Try walking with baby in a sling/wrap or in a stroller. Rock or sway with your baby in a gentle, rhythmic motion. Try going for a ride in the car.
  • Sucking sometimes helps babies to calm and relax. Encourage your baby to breastfeed or offer a pacifier.
  • Give your baby a warm bath.

Talk to your doctor before using over-the-counter or natural remedies for colic. There is still very little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of any medicine or probiotic for the treatment of colic.

Whatever you do, it should be gentle and soothing. Never shake your baby. If you are frustrated by the crying, despite your best efforts to help your baby, put her in a safe place (like her crib) and take a moment to calm yourself.

Remember: There are times when nothing works even though you try everything. This doesn’t mean you are a bad parent.

Is my baby crying because of something he ate? Or something I ate?

Colic happens in both breastfed and bottle fed babies. Changing how you feed your baby (for example switching from breastfeeding to formula feeding, or from one kind of formula to another) probably won’t help your baby. If you think your baby may have an allergy to cow’s milk, speak to your doctor about your options. This is a very rare condition.

Call your doctor to make an appointment if:

  • Your baby isn’t behaving as usual and isn’t eating or sleeping.
  • Your baby has a fever.
  • Your baby is vomiting, has diarrhea or bloody stools.
  • Your baby could be hurt from a fall or injury.
  • Your baby cries excessively for more than 3 months.
  • You’re afraid you might hurt your baby.
Where can you go for help?

The early days of taking care of a new baby can be hard. You’re probably not sleeping much, and you’re trying to meet your baby’s needs around the clock.

A baby’s constant crying can be stressful. The most important thing to know is that it is not your fault. It will get better. In the meantime, be sure to take care of yourself.

Make arrangements for regular child care relief so you can get some rest. Find a friend, family member or someone else you trust who can look after your baby for short periods of time while you get a break. If people offer help, accept it. Remember:

    • Eating and sleeping well can make a big difference in how well you can cope. Try to get at least 3 hours of sleep in a row, twice a day.
    • Parents need breaks. Take some time to exercise, read or enjoy a visit with a friend at a local café.
    • Sometimes you may have negative thoughts. It’s OK, as long as you don’t act on them. If you feel depressed, resentful or angry, talk to someone you trust and get help.
    • There are many community resources that support parents, particularly new mothers. If you’re not sure where to go, talk to your paediatrician, family physician, or public health nurse.

Attachment: A connection for life

Attachment: A connection for life

Why is attachment important?

Attachment is the deep emotional bond between a baby and the person who provides most of his care. Just as most parents feel a strong connection with their newborn after birth, babies also become attached to their parents. Attachment takes place throughout a child’s development, but this document focuses on babies.

Attachment develops as you respond to your baby’s needs in warm, sensitive and consistent ways. This is especially important when your baby is sick, upset or distressed. Attachment also builds as you go about your daily routines with your baby, caring for her and interacting with her.

The early signs that a secure attachment is forming are some of a parent’s greatest rewards:

  • By 4 weeks, your baby will respond to your smile, perhaps with a facial expression or a movement.
  • By 3 months, she’ll smile right back at you.
  • By 4 to 6 months, she will turn to you and expect you to respond when she’s upset.
  • By 7 or 8 months, she’ll have a special response just for you when her visual memory shows marked development (she may also be upset by strangers). Your baby may also start to respond to your stress, anger or sadness.
  • If your baby doesn’t respond to you, show interest in people or make eye contact, make an appointment with her doctor.

Babies can develop secure attachment with more than one important adult in their lives, including a child care provider. This doesn’t affect the special relationship babies have with their parents.

If you think you are depressed, or feel that you cannot take care of your baby, it’s important to tell someone. If you’re the partner of a mother who seems depressed, or is having trouble taking care of her baby, it’s also important to reach out. Talk to your doctor, nurse, midwife, or contact your local public health office for a listing of services in your area.

Secure or healthy attachment is the foundation that lets your child explore the world and have a safe place to come back to. Attachment is the first way that babies learn to organize their feelings and their actions, by looking to the person who provides them with care and comfort. Attachment is essential to long-term emotional health.

Healthy attachment will help your child handle situations as she grows older, such as separating from you (starting child care or school), cooperating with other children, and developing self-control. Attachment also helps your child learn how to trust other people, so it’s an important part of developing healthy relationships later in life.

Healthy attachment will help your child

While a baby’s first attachment is usually with her mother, the bonds that babies form with their fathers are just as important. Though babies form attachment relationships with other adults who care for them, the bonds with their parents are the most important ones.

Secure or healthy attachment is the foundation that lets your child explore the world and have a safe place to come back to. Attachment is the first way that babies learn to organize their feelings and their actions, by looking to the person who provides them with care and comfort. Attachment is essential to long-term emotional health.

A baby’s first attachment

A baby’s first attachment usually happens quite naturally. Your baby cries, and you try to give him what he needs: a feeding, a cuddle, a diaper change, or just holding him. When you respond, your baby learns that he can trust you, and depend on you for comfort and to feel safe. As you get better at knowing what your baby is telling you and meeting his needs, your baby feels less stress.

Responding quickly to a baby

Responding quickly to a baby’s cries is the best way to show her that she is safe and loved. It should not be confused with “spoiling”. Babies cannot be spoiled. When they’re sick, upset or distressed, they need to know that you are there for them.

What Attachment involves

Attachment involves two people interacting, sharing, and connecting. So as you respond to your baby’s needs, your baby will respond to you. You’ll notice that it becomes easier to soothe her, that she wants to be near you, and that she reacts to you even from a distance. Holding, rocking or talking softly to your baby all promote attachment.

Footwear for children

Footwear for children

When should my child start wearing shoes?

If your child isn’t walking yet, she doesn’t need to wear shoes. If she has just started walking, shoes can help prevent accidental injuries. Shoes with higher ankle support don’t necessarily offer better support than shoes with low-cut ankles. However, a shoe with a higher ankle might help at this stage since they are harder for your toddler to remove.

Some people think that shoes are needed to support a child’s developing leg and foot muscles and bone structure to help prevent future problems with walking. Your child’s feet will develop naturally and will almost never require any special footwear.

Shoes have become softer, wider, lighter and more comfortable. Your child’s shoes should:

  • Protect his feet.
  • Offer some grip on smooth surfaces.
  • Ensure comfortable walking on different types of surfaces (e.g., pavement, gravel and sand).

When choosing shoes for your child, make sure they:

  • Fit snugly at the heel to stop the foot from moving forward while walking.
  • Allow room for the toes – approximately 1.25 cm (a thumb’s width) between the longest toe and the tip of the shoe while your child is standing up.
  • Have a 5 mm space between the edge of the shoe and all toes.
  • Have a small crease in the material if you pinch the shoe while your child standing.
  • Your child should always try on shoes before you buy them.

Shoes used to fix problems such as flatfoot or intoeing are called corrective footwear. Most children don’t need special footwear. Your child’s feet and legs will change naturally as she grows.

The arch of the foot between the heel and the big toe (the natural curve at the bottom of the foot) develops before 6 years of age. Almost all children younger than 18 months of age have flat feet. This can also be common until your child is 6 years of age. A small number of children still have flatfoot by the time they are 10 years of age. If your child continues to have flatfoot but it doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort, corrective shoes or orthotics are not necessary. If your child complains of pain while walking, contact your doctor to discuss your choices

Intoeing

Intoeing happens when the feet turn inward instead of pointing straight ahead when walking or running. It is common in children and usually gets better as your child gets older, without the use of corrective shoes

Growing

Your child’s feet will change quickly as he grows. Before 18 months of age, his feet will probably grow by more than one-half a shoe size every two months. A toddler’s feet grow an average of one-half a size every three months. Once your child is 3 years of age, his feet will grow by about one size every year.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Making best choice for family

Making best choice for family

Child care: Making the best choice for your family

Whether you work full-time, a few hours a week or have other outside commitments, choosingchild care is an important decision. You want to ensure your child is in a safe, caring, and stimulating environment, with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow every day. You also want an open, positive relationship with your child’s caregiver(s).

What about part-time care?

Many center and home-based caregivers offer part-time care, but if you only need care for a portion of the day or week, you may want to consider other options.

If you choose to go with more than one type of care, keep the following in mind:
  • If your child has to be taken to several places each day, you’ll all be exhausted.
  • Avoid more than a couple of arrangements in your child’s schedule.
  • Try to avoid frequent changes to your child’s daily routine.
  • No matter where your child goes, make sure he receives high quality care.
  • Pay close attention to your child. Is she comfortable and happy in each situation? Does she seem to be learning and growing well?

Some families choose a combination of
different types of care.

For example:

  • If you work part-time or have a flexible schedule, you might consider preschool or nursery school.
  • Sharing a nanny or babysitter with another family.
  • In-home care by a family member for part of the day, and nursery school for the other part.

  • Understand how children grow and develop.
  • Provide children with a stimulating environment and many ways to learn.
  • Know how to respond to a child’s emotional needs.
  • Work with you and listen to your concerns.
  • Want to help your child reach any goals that you have set.
  • Is clean, safe and has a small number of children per staff member.
  • Has staff who are professionally qualified, fully immunized, and have had police background
    checks.
  • Has areas for indoor and outdoor play.
  • Has a quiet space for rest or naps.
  • Is smoke-free, both outside and inside.
  • Has regular but flexible routines that include a variety of activities appropriate for your child’s
    age.
  • Has a variety of safe toys and equipment that is cleaned regularly and kept in good condition.
  • Serves nutritious meals and snacks.
  • Allows you to drop in, unannounced, for short periods of time.
  • Ensures that inactive screen time is not part of routine activities.

Start your search early, months before you go back to work or (in some places) even before your baby is born. Here are some questions to get started:

  • What kind of care would suit your child’s age and temperament?
  • What hours of the day do you require care?
  • Do you have more than one child who needs care?
  • What fee can you afford? Are you eligible for a government subsidy?
  • Do you prefer a center-based setting or a home-based setting?
  • Would it be more convenient near your home or close to work?

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